February 1633

108. To the Bailo at Constantinople.
Behaviour of M. de Marcheville, the French ambassador there.
Have complained about him in France. To thank the English
ambassador and tell him they are doing the same to his king,
to express their appreciation of his conduct of affairs, offering
him every correspondence in his own affairs.
[Italian.]

Feb. 3.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Signori
Stati.
Venetian
Archives.

109. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands,
to the Doge and Senate.
On the return of the Earl of Arundel from Amsterdam and
Utrecht, the English ambassadors again met the deputies of the
States. These reported to the States what they had been told
about the king's good will and the affairs of Germany, confined
always to generalities. They decided to thank his Majesty for
the embassy, and as their opinion was asked, money and men
being required for the war in Germany to help the Princes of
the Union and above all the interests of Prince Charles, that
they were excellently disposed, if safe and sound means could
be found for upholding those affairs. When the Earl heard their
reply to this effect, he decided to start for England without
proceeding any further. He set off the day before yesterday by
way of Brill, being accompanied thither by the sons of the
Princess Palatine. She is by no means disposed to go to
England, although it is doubtful what the real sentiments of the
earl and above all the king will be about this decision of hers.
Anstruther will remain here some days yet, to wait for the
gentleman of Duke Louis. (fn. 1) We shall see if he makes any more
definite proposals. Their High Mightinesses are doubtful about
this, seeing that so far he has entered upon nothing but generalities ;
but they are quite determined here not to commit themselves
unless they see definite action, as they place no faith in
words. England has such a bad reputation, not only with the
States but in Germany that a personage of trust, who informed
me, told Anstruther that they do not propose to take any steps
either in these Provinces or elsewhere unless the king produces
prompt remittances of money and troops all in readiness to supply
the assistance he promises, a very difficult matter for a prince
who is not on good terms with his subjects.These States are pleased with Anstruther's idea of getting
the Duke of Bavaria elected King of the Romans, and the
Prince himself commends it highly, if it can be done, as
separating the duke from the House of Austria.
The Hague, the 3rd February, 1632 [M.V.]
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]

Feb. 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.

110. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
The despatch from Brussels to this Court sent recently by the
Resident Gerbier reports the determination of the Infanta to
go on with the negotiations which are being conducted by the
deputies of Flanders for some accomodation in Holland. Gerbier
adds that the Duke of Arescot was setting out for the Hague
charged with instructions rather for keeping the matter on the
carpet than for a conclusion. He was supplied with a ship,
which was waiting for him at Antwerp, especially set apart for
him by the Prince of Orange. He also states at the end that a
courier having been despatched at the same time by the Infanta to
Spain, to learn the supreme will, they were necessarily obliged
to wait for his return, which they reckon will be in this present
month of February. I understand that the contents of this
despatch from Brussels have been communicated to the Dutch
ministers here in confidence by one of the members of the
Council. They replied that their masters saw through the
artifice of the delay after the manner of the Spanish negotiations,
but on the other hand, their Assembly was busy with preparations
for the coming campaign, and had issued very strenuous
orders to all its officers to be at their posts by the first of March.
Here they believe that the thread of these negotiations may
be interrupted the more easily or even cut because of the
growing noise of arms in the direction of Cologne. The States
have protested to the Elector there and to the Duke of Neuburg
as well about the infraction of their neutrality, every time
that Spanish troops proceed in the direction of their borders
as they have already sent to those parts under the pretext of
helping Cologne and Neuburg against the Swedish forces under
Baudesin.
The Danish minister stays on here, although he has already
taken leave. He states that he has advices that his king is
collecting a considerable force in Holsatia, possibly in order to
enforce the claims of his son to the archbishopric of Bremen,
at present held by the uncle of the late King of Sweden. Some
say that he has already had recourse to the Chancellor Oxestern,
who has intimated that he will help him.
A report, though ill grounded and vague has spread about
peace negotiations in Germany. It seems that the Landgrave of
Darmstadt, in spite of his connection with the Elector of
Saxony, (fn. 2) has always held himself at the service of the emperor,
and proposes to intervene to find some adjustment.
The despatches of the two ambassadors, Arundel and Anstruther
have arrived at last. They write about the perplexity of the
Princess Palatine about coming to this kingdom. Some believe
that if his sister does not make some plausible show with her
letters and excuses, the king will be very ill pleased, the more
so since all the members of the government here say that in
her answers to the first letters she not only seemed desirous but
pledged herself to come ; and this was the reason why the king
went so far, in making so many provisions, in sending the
royal ships to receive her and by so many other dispositions.
Others maintain that the king did well to invite her, but that
she has done much better to postpone her coming on the one
hand and on the other to show her appreciation of the invitation.
This is certain, that her coming would not have displeased
them, both because they hoped to comfort her, and because
they proposed, under the fair appearance of invitation, to
escape the necessity of contributing the 20,000l. sterling, and
it has already been stated on good authority that the Lord
Treasurer, who has so much influence with the king, had it in
his mind to make a very great reduction in that sum, under
the pretext, once she had got across here, of supplying all that
was necessary for her ordinary requirements, for which, they
added, it was better the money should be spent in England
than in Holland.
The ministers here are afraid of some difficulty with the
Swedes about the places conquered in the Lower Palatinate,
unless they come to terms beforehand about the expenses of
the war. Here they would like everything to be placed in the
hands of the Duke of Symeren, Administrator of that country,
in the name of his nephew.
By the first courier we hope that the three ordinary despatches
from Italy which are still missing, will arrive together.
London, the 4th February, 1632 [M.V.]
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]

Feb. 10.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Signori
Stati.
Venetian
Archives.

111. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands,
to the Doge and Senate.
The Earl of Arundel could not leave Brill owing to contrary
winds. As the bad weather seems likely to last he will have
to return to the Hague as a private individual. Anstruther has
made no further proposals, so it is clear that these ambassadors
came more to listen than to make proposals. Anstruther says
he will leave for Germany some day soon, as he is urged to
do. He proposes to go and see Duke Louis before proceeding
to the Princes of the Union. I am assured that these ambassadors
have not concerned themselves about the truces, indeed
Anstruther himself remarked to me that he hoped the matter
would be broken off. It is feared that something has happened
to Duke Louis's gentleman, as he has not arrived. The Princess
Palatine is doing her utmost to induce the king and ministers
of England to help her, so that she may not be abandoned,
but everything moves slowly and nothing is done.
The Hague, the 10th February, 1632 [M.V.]
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]

Feb. 11.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.

112. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
They recently sent to Creucius, the Agent of this crown,
the royal commissions for the offices he was to pass in his
Majesty's name with the Duke of Symeren. They exhort him to
maintain vigorously his charge of administration in everything
that concerns the interests of the Palatine's eldest son, nephew
alike of this king and that prince. With these went most
ample offers of co-operation from this side, and that they
will never desist, as the ministers here assert openly, from
every kind of active assistance, as circumstances may call for
it, and to meet the greatest emergencies.
Meanwhile fresh despatches have arrived from the two ambassadors
who recently went to Holland. They write that they
have already made their overtures for a conference with the
States about the affairs of Germany. From the insistence of
their proposals to the deputies of that Assembly it would seem
that their efforts were devoted to trying to ascertain clearly
how much England might really promise herself from the States
for the direction and support required for the affairs of the
Palatinate in particular. A copy of these proposals has reached
the Ambassador Joachimi by express, with the addition of some
further instructions from his masters on the same subject.
It is stated on good authority that he has adroitly intimated
to some of the Council here, that for the service of Germany
and substantially of the Palatine, the Ambassador Anstruther had
asked at the Hague merely what the States would do, without
specifying what the king would do for the same effect ; and
it was necessary that a particular and specific declaration
from his Majesty should come first. Joachimi remarks that
these same English ambassadors write that they have discovered
clearly from their discussions that the States do not intend or
make any pretence to claim to be the first or the principals
in the declaration of assistance, but they are disposed to co-operate
promptly and actively with the resolutions and assistance
given by the king, as being more interested in that affair than
their Provinces can be. I will inform Contarini of everything.
The mission of Sciarnasse to Holland is announced at this
Court. (fn. 3) The French recently repeated their representations in
order to get the offices of Great Britain united with their own
for the prevention of the truces. But here they remain fixed
in their original resolution, not to meddle in that affair. The
Spaniards encourage hopes among the people of the Provinces
subject to them of their advancement, and the French Agent
at Brussels writes to the Ambassador Fontane to this effect.
He adds that he has performed at another time the offices with
the Infanta in the king's name about not allowing the continuation
of the fortifications begun in the neighbourhood of Cambrai,
so that the work has been abandoned for the moment, but that
now, in spite of repeated representations on his part, they
have begun other fortifications in another and more important
part on the borders of Luxemburg. In the same letter he
intimates that the Spaniards, apprehensive of the troops under
San Sciomon, propose by the erection of these new fortifications
to prevent succour by that way and the communication
of the French with Treves.
Nedersolt has returned here to take charge of the interests
of the Princess Palatine in the capacity of her secretary. He
brings the excuses of his mistress in terms of grief and piteousness.
He represents the upheaval of the house, the needs of
the children and the advantages of the place where she is
staying, for giving a better direction to affairs in the course
of time, and says that she does not refuse but defers her
visit to this kingdom to a better opportunity.
At the supplication of the naval authorities the king has
chosen to confer the happy augury of his presence on two
great ships newly built for war, and he was present in person
to see them launched in the waters of the Thames for the
first time, from their boat yards. (fn. 4)
They are daily expecting the arrival of an ambassador from
Poland, who comes to impart the election of the new king.
When I was expecting to receive three despatches from Italy
together the courier has arrived with only one of them, which
brings me the Senate's letters of the 31st December.
London, the 11th February, 1632. [M.V.]
[Italian.]

Feb. 14.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Aleppo.
Venetian
Archives

113. Piero Gritti, Venetian Consul at Aleppo, to the Doge
and Senate.
The King of Persia continues to demand considerable sums
of money from the English and Flemish nations, under various
pretexts. This still further ensures their departure from that
realm, with advantage to this mart.
Aleppo, the 14th February, 1633 [M.V.]
[Italian.]

Feb. 17.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Signori
Stati.
Venetian
Archives.

114. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands,
to the Doge and Senate.
Anstruther left yesterday on his way to see Duke Louis. He
will travel to the Palatinate by Maastricht, Liege and Treves.
Before he left he came here and told me he had found them
excellently disposed here, and he left very content with the
good sentiments of the States. He was to see Duke Louis to
learn what was required for the Palatinate and would then go
to the Chancellor Oxenstierna and the other princes. He would
try and persuade Oxenstierna to hand Frankenthal over to
England, the late Prince Palatine having practically bought
that fortress. This would oblige the king to defend the Palatinate
from the Spaniards. Money and not troops were required from
England, as the men die and go to the bad (vanno a male). He
had advised his Majesty to this effect. The Ambassador of Denmark
was with the Protestant Princes. He was glad of this, as if
they could have an honourable peace, they ought not to refuse
it. It they cannot the King of Denmark will be committed by
the bishoprics he claims. If the Duke of Bavaria will consent
to be chosen King of the Romans, all will unite for this, but if
not, they will have to choose another, and Bavaria will be ruined.
He took in good part the refusal of the Princess Palatine to
go to England, and he had written about it to the king.He suggested that France might take Alsace for itself, and
the two crowns might work together in the interests of Prince
Charles. I have heard since from another quarter that the States
recently intimated that they would second the good resolutions
of his Majesty in the interests of Germany if they see prompt
action. Accordingly the ambassador has written that some
letters of exchange have been sent from England, by which
he can show the Protestant Princes that the king is beginning
to act in earnest ; also that he has instructions to beware lest
he mix himself in the peace negotiations, from fear that the
Imperialists may deceive. They have the same fear of the
Duke of Bavaria here, as it will be very difficult for him to
separate himself from the Austrians. He is very scrupulous
about religion and would not consent to side with the Protestant
party, as he would have to, if he agreed to be chosen King
of the Romans, because the Austrians would take it as a
mortal affront and would certainly make war on him.
The Earl of Arundel made an effort to cross one day last
week, but we hear that owing to the contrary wind he had
to put back to Zeeland. The King of England has written to
the Princess Palatine, accepting her reasons for not going
to England and assuring her that he had no object except to
please her. He took advantage of Anstruther's departure to
send letters to the Princes of the Union and to some of the
free towns, exhorting them to uphold his interests. M. di
Sciarnasse has assured the princess that the Cardinal is most
anxious for her relief and had stated that it would he a great
cruelty and injustice to deprive these poor children of their own,
for no fault of theirs.
The Hague, the 17th February, 1632 [M.V.]
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]

Feb. 18.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.

115. To the Ambassador in England.
You performed suitable offices with the king about the recovery
of his health and the death of the Palatine. If the
Princess Palatine comes to England you will express to her
our esteem and our deep regret at her misfortunes, with our
desire for her greatest felicity thus endeavouring to arouse
the spirit and vivacity of that wise and prudent princess. You
did right in suggesting an embassy to the united princes. With
respect to the king's proposed journey to Scotland, you will
follow the example of the other ministers, because then we shall
take the necessary steps if you have to follow the king to
Scotland. We enclose an abstract of the advices.
Ayes, 82. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.]

Feb. 18.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.

116. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The Ambassador Anstruther, who is going to Germany, has
informed his Majesty of his last conferences with the States.
He writes that at the end of the meeting they asked him what
England would contribute for the common cause and the Palatinate.
He said that his commissions by which he was to
treat with the Princes of Germany, extended to offering assistance
from this quarter of 10000l. sterling a month, enough to
maintain a large army corps. He asserts that he performed
warm and repeated offices to obtain the best and most vigorous
resolutions from them also. From what he adds, a declaration
from that quarter remains still in suspense.In conformity with this offer, in which the sum corresponds
precisely with what I reported was offered by this crown to
the late King of Sweden, the Treasurer has told me recently
more than once that he had strong hopes that Anstruther would
arrange with the Princes of Germany what Ven had not been
able to settle with the late King of Sweden.
Here they do not want Anstruther's negotiations in Holland
to be prolonged unduly in order not to postpone the business
he is to transact either at the first meeting of the Princes or
separately with them. They are anxious for him to set out
for those parts but taking some promise in his hands from theStates, as they believe that this example will greatly facilitate
and strengthen the proposals to be made in Germany.
The Earl of Arundel has returned to Court. He merely had
the title of ambassador extraordinary in conjunction with Anstruther
for the sake of precedence in his negotiations in the
Assembly. As he would not intervene in these, he told his
Majesty on his return that as regards negotiations he referred to
what Anstruther's letters contained, and he would only report
his own business with the Princess Palatine. He brought her excuses
like those sent by Nedersolt, about postponing her coming
to this kingdom. He asserts that the princess, after the death
of her husband, having lost all consolation, had several times
charged him to tell them here that she desired nothing but to
see the relief of her children, to embrace her brother once
more and then give up the ghost.
The ambassador extraordinary of Poland has arrived. (fn. 5) The
royal coaches met him, followed as usual by those of the
ambassadors of France and your Serenity. I sent a gentleman
of my household to pay my respects and he sent back in response.
After his first audience, devoted to compliments and informing
his Majesty of the election of his master to that throne, I
went to call at his house according to the practice of the
Court, and he returned my visit on the following day. I confirmed
the excellent disposition of the republic and told him that
an ambassador extraordinary had been chosen to go to his
king. He told me he proposed to leave in a few days for
France, in a private capacity. There is a report that commissions
may reach him to act as ambassador extraordinary
at that Court for the same offices, after performing the like
in Holland and at Brussels.
Joachimi has left, but they say he will return ; only an agent
remains here. Fontane has told me that he will be going before
long, and will leave his secretary until the king sends his
successor.
The courier with the Senate's despatch of the 7th January
is late as usual.
London, the 18th February, 1632 [M.V.]
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]

Feb. 25.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci.
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.

117. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
Without any previous notice to the ministers the Sieur di
Santa Croce appeared here unexpectedly a few days ago. He
is a gentleman of the queen mother and a brother of the
dead Marshal Ornano. (fn. 6) His secret negotiations and his remaininghere under an incognito have greatly roused the jealousy
of the French minister here who is trying hard to get knowledge
of the essentials of his despatch and to get to the bottom of
it. They know already on good authority that his commissions,
backed by letters from Monsieur and the queen mother, contain
reiterated incitements to induce this crown to co-operate to
some extent in their protection. Fontane came to see me two
days ago, and in discussing this very matter he remarked in the
course of the conversation with great confidence that a short
while before he had conferred with the Lord Treasurer and
made the vigorous representations required as a counterblast
to these manœhuvres. He intimated to me that he felt a complete
assurance that nothing would ever be decided on this side
which would be calculated to displease the Most Christian.
He added that he had got scent in another way that Ornano,
at some private interview with one of the Lords of the Council,
made various references to the hopes of Monsieur that he
would receive help from the emperor.I have some information which bears out this confidence, in
addition to what the French ambassador told me, because here,
especially under present circumstances, they shrink from any
sort of interposition of offices or assistance in that affair all
the more because they desire and are trying to obtain a favourable
disposition in the Most Christian to co-operate for the
relief of the young prince Palatine. Accordingly they have
recently sent fresh commissions to the Ambassador Weston, directing
him, when passing through that Court on his return, to
renew the necessary instances and offices on this subject, and
at the same time inform them of the despatch of Anstruther to
Germany for the same purpose. I will inform his Excellency
Soranzo of all this. They are watching very closely for the
adjustment which may ensue from the negotiations of Fichiers, (fn. 7)
sent to Germany by France.
The Lords here continue of the same mind as I have reported
with regard to the negotiations between the Spaniards and the
Dutch, indeed this has received greater confirmation from the
last letters of the Agent Gerbier. He writes that their hopes
at the Court of Brussels of any accommodation have greatly
diminished. One might, indeed, come to the same conclusion
judging by the pressure which is again being made here in the
Infanta's name for some levies of troops in this kingdom.
The Ambassador of Poland departed the day before yesterday,
having discharged his brief and merely complimentary embassy
in a few days. Before going he came again to this house
to take leave, as a token of esteem, and I made a suitable
response.
The preparations for the king's journey to Scotland go forward.
Out of the large number of those who are obliged by the laws
of the realm to follow his Majesty at their own expense, the
Lord Treasurer has persuaded the king to excuse everyone who
is willing to contribute in one payment the third of a year's
income from all his possessions. By this new invention they
calculate that they will get together a large sum of money for
the royal benefit.
No letters have appeared from Italy, not even during this
week either, and the first courier who is expected should bring
with him four despatches simultaneously, that being the number
now due in this kingdom.
London, the 25th February, 1632. [M.V.]
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]

5. The Polish Ambassador arrived on the evening of the Monday, 14 Feb. He was
Janussius a son of the Prince of Radziwil, about 18 years of age, and a student at
Leyden. He came to report the death of Sigismund III. King of Poland and the
election of his son Uladislaus. Salvetti, letter of 18 Feb. Brit. Mus. Add. MSS.
27962 F. His letters of credence are dated at Warsaw, 24 Nov. 1632, S. P. For
Poland.

6. The proposed visit of the Marquis of Ste Croix was annouced by Gerbier on
12-22 Jan. ; so it could hardly have been unexpected. S.P. For. Flanders. Vol. 23.

7. Manasses du Pas, Marquis of Feuquièies. He was a cousin of Père Joseph.